Deep well drilling apparatus



` y H'.'MUEGGE DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Aug. 4, 1936.

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 9ct.' 7, 195s .Zaventor Aug. 4, 1936. r H.' MUEGGE 2,049,971

DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7, 1953 Sheets-Sheet 2 A\1g-4,1936. H. MUEGGE l 2,049,971 A DEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed oct. 7, 193s e Sheets-sheet s Aug. 4, 1936. H. MUEGGE y DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 7', 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 /I lli Lik l lll Il."

Aug 4,1936-, |s. |vn.lE scaE:l 2,049,971v

l DEEP WELL DRILLING' APARATUs A Filed oct. 7, 193s e Snees-sneet 5 Aug. 4, 1936. H MUEGG 2,049,97`

DEEP WELL DRILLNG APPARATUS Patented Aug. 4, 1936 VUNITED STATES ATEN'T OFFICE Application October 7, 1933, Serial No. 692,677 In Germany October 29, 1932 18 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for drilling wells, comprising a rig for guiding the drilling tools and an operating aggregate belonging to the same. Y

The object of the invention is the provision of a device for drilling wells, which permits ofV the use of a motor drive for actuating the chisels, etc., acting in free fall against the bottom of the well, and of drilling tools, wimbles, etc., operated by means of a rotary table, and is also distinguished by its simple construction and the ready form of control.

According to the invention, the cable secured to the drum of the driving aggregate, which is conducted at this point and at the top of the derrick over pulleys orl rolls and carries at the end extending into the well a liner or chisel, is subjected in the driving aggregate at a point between two guide rolls situated at the same elevation to the intermittent action, transversely to its direction of movement, of an operating member, which moves the cable to a certain predetermined extent, and then releases the same. The operating member is preferably mounted on a pair of endless chains, and after each revolution is conducted by the same against the tensioned cable, which it then advances for a certain predetermined distance and finally releases owing to its special construction and nature of guiding, so that the cable, following the pull of the drilling tool suspended thereon, runs back freely, the drilling tool then striking in free fall against the bottom of the well.

Additional features of the invention are disclosed by the followingy description. ,y

A possible form of embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is an elevational View of the drivingv 40 aggregate, partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a section according to the line II-II in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section according to the line III-V III in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the speed regulator for the rotary table.

Fig. 5 is a section taken through the centre of the operating member for the cable. 0 Figs. 6 and 7 are front and 'side views of the derrick.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the top of the derrick on enlarged scale.

Figs. 9-11 illustrate diagrammatically the erection Yof the derrick.

Fig. 12 shows the bottom of the derrick with the rotary table,

Fig. 13 a section taken through the centre of a part of the pipe, and

Fig. 14 a detail of the pipe in cross-section. 5

The driving aggregate is accommodated in a frame I, and includes a shaft 2 carrying at its one end the belt pulley 3, which is connected by means of a belt ,6 with a pulley mounted on the shaft of a suitable motor.

The shaft 2 carries a sprocket wheel 5, which is connectedY by means of the endless chain 6 with a sprocket wheel 8 mounted on the intermediate gear shaft 1. On this shaft there is also provided a'pinion 9 meshing with a gear-wheelV I2 i5 mounted on the shaft I6 of the drum II.

The shaft I0 is locked, and the kdrum II runs thereon by means of two bushes I3, the lubrication of which takes place with the assistance of a central hollow space I4 in the shaft I 0 containing a suicient store ofoil for a relatively long period and capable of being re-lled through an opening closed by means of a screw I5. The bushes I3 are furnished with grooves or borings, so that the oil may enter without obstruction.

The drum II is shiftable axially by means of the "lever I6, for the purpose of connecting the same either in positive fashion through the medium of a clutch I1 with the gear wheel I2, or with a manually operated worm wheel I9, the object of which will be ldescribed later.

The lever I6 is mounted on the xed shaft Ill by means of a flat thread 20 of relatively large pitch, and is connected rmly with a rod 2| located in an axial bore of the shaft I0, this rod being coupled at its inner end by the bolt 22which projects outwardly through longitudinal slots 23 in the shaft III-with the casing 24 of a doubled thrust bearing 25, which is surrounded by a cap 26 fitted on the drum II.

The two cone clutches I'I and I8 are furnished with springs 21 and 28 of equal strength. The drum II is connected in positive fashion with the gear wheel I2 constantly rotating on the fixed shaft I0 or with the worm-wheel I9, dependent on the fact as to whether the lever I6 is moved in the one or the other direction. In the neutral position of the lever I5 (Fig. 2) the drum II, in the opening 29 of which there is secured the inner end of the cable 30, is able to rotate' quite freely, so that the cable is accordingly run olf in this position of the drum owing to the weight 0f the drilling tool.

Above the drum II a guide roll 33 for the 55 cable 30 is mounted in freely rotatable and shiftable fashion on a shaft 32, which is located at the top of a structure 3l and is situated parallel to the axis of the drum. The cable 30 proceeds downwards from the roll 33 to a roll 35 situated at the level of the drum II, the said roll 35 being located on a shaft 34 mounted in the frame I. The cable 30 passed below the roll 35 then proceeds to a roll 31 provided with a strong suspension 36 and mounted in the frame I, from which point it then passes upwards to a guide roll at the top of the derrick and thence downwards to the drilling tool.

At a point between the two guide rolls 35 and 31 situated at the same elevation there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an operating member engaging intermittently transversely to the cable 30.

In the form of embodiment illustrated in the drawing there are provided a pair of endless chains 42 on sprocket wheels 38, 39, which are disposed, vertically to the cable 30, in pairs above and below the same, and which are mounted on shafts 4G and 4I situated parallel to the cable.

To coaxially disposed joints of the two chains 42 there is secured a bolt 43 carrying a plate 45 furnished with bearing eyes 44, which plate possesses at its lower edge (considered with regard to Fig. 5) two bearing eyes 4E having an elongated boring 41. Owing to this embodiment of the eyes 46, through the borings 41 of which there is passed a bolt also connecting coaXially disposed joints of the two chains 4,2, it is possible to pass the plate 45 also over the sprocket wheels 38, 39 without obstructing the movement of the chains 42.

At its centre the plate 45 possesses a roll 50 held thereon by means of bolts 49 and preferably having a slightly conical surface 5I,which roll acts as operating member and during the movement of the chains 42 is moved repeatedly into engagement with the cable 3B.

To ensure that the cable 30 will always remain perfectly steady in the vicinity of the operating member 50 and that vibratory motion thereof at this point will be avoided there is provided for the'same a slot guide 52. 'I'his slot guide 52 possesses a gradually initiating bend, which up to that point where it is desired that the cable 3B should leave the operating member50 recedes to the extent of the diameter of the cable from the end face of the operating member 5I] rotating in fixed position. In order, for the purpose of preventing unnecessary friction between the cable and the slot, to limit as far as possible the bend 53 of the guide 52, provision may also be made for the operating member 50 to be moved gradually out of the range of the guide 52. This may preferably be accomplished by making the diameter of the lowerrpair of sprocket wheels 39 smaller than that of the upper socket wheels 38.

The chains 42 carrying the operating member 50 are driven by a worm 54 mounted on the main shaft 2 and meshing with a worm-wheel 55 mounted coaxially with the shaft 4I for the lower sprocket Wheels 39, this worm-wheel being fitted on a shaft 56. The shaft 55, considered With regard to Fig. 1, carries on the right the shiftable portion of a cone clutch 51, which may be actuated by means of a hand lever 58 for the purpose of establishing or interrupting the positive connection of the shaft 56 with the shaft 4I.

For operating a chisel with the apparatus as described, at first the clutch I1 between the gear wheel I2 and the drum II, the drilling tool having been introduced into the well to within a slight distance from the bottom thereof with the gear wheel I2 and the drum II coupled together and the cable 39 withdrawn by the operating member 56 almost up to the point of release, is disengaged, and the clutch I8 moved in ,between the drum II andthe worm-wheel I9 held by theA worm 59. By reason of the large transmission ratio of this worm gear I9, 59 and the thus resulting self-locking properties thereof, the stationary condition of the drum II is ensured inthe position accorded thereto. The clutch 51, Vhitherto disengaged, is now moved in by the lever 5B, so that the two chains 42 are accordingly operated through the medium of the pulley 3, shaft 2, worm gear 54, 55, shaft 56, sha-ft 4I and sprocket wheels 39, and move the operating member 50 connected therewith along the path prescribed by the chains. After pass-- ing the highest point of its path the operating member 50 moves against the cable 3! retained in position'by the slot 52 and carries the same downwards until, following the curvature 53 of the slot 52 and assisted by the conical form of the member 50, the cable slides off the latter, and. runs back under the-weight of the drilling tool secured to its free end. The drilling tool accordingly strikes with full force against the bottom of the well, and is capable, therefore, of performing its function under the most favorable conditions. Any tendency of the cable 30 to coil is greatly damped by the resilient device 35 provided in conjunction with the rlnal guide roll 31. f2'

When the apparatus has been operating for a certain length of time with the free length of cable as determined by the drum II, the eiectiveness of the tool is decreased in consequence of the increasing Ydepthof the well. For the purpose of re-setting the tool as the well becomes y deeper the shaft' of the worm 59 engaging with the worm-wheel I9 coupled with the drum II, which shaft is mounted in bearings 5I on the structure 3|, is furnished with a hand-wheel 62 by means of which the length'ofY the cable 30 may be regulated as desired. This adjustment device is distinguished by its particularly simple form of construction and its extreme reliability in operation, as the same permits at any time of adjustment of the length of cable as the drilling operations proceed without the Vprovision of any kind yof paWl and ratchet mechanism and with fixed drum I I.

The driving aggregate, which includes the device for the mechanical operation of the tool acti table to be adapted to the particular cutting tool employed. f f

Indeep well drilling operations the diametery of the well is usually relatively large at the com-v mencement, and is then reduced as the work proceeds. At the commencement, therefore, large cutting tools are employed, which owing to their large range also rotate quite slowly, whilst as the well becomes deeper smaller wimbles are selected which, in View of their reduced range, may operate more quickly. It is only after a certain depth'has been reached (say, 150 feet) that a change-over is made from cutting tool operations to pure rotary drilling.

For this latter operation it is then necessary to be able to increase the circumferential velocity of the table very considerably.

The regulator furnished in accordance with the invention, which regulator is disposed between the main shaft 2 driven by the motor through the medium of the belt pulley 3 and the shaft 65 transmitting the drive to the rotary table through the medium of the pulley 63 and belt 64, comprises in substance two belt pulleys of known construction, which are regulable in their eiective diameter, are connected by means of a wedge belt, and are located on the two shafts 2, 65. Y

As sho-wn by Figs. 3 and 4, there are mounted on the outer end of the shaft 2 two flat-conical discs 66 having their apices directed towards each other and arranged to be non-rotary but longitudinally shiftable on the shaft 2. There are also mounted on the end of the shaft 65 two i Ysimilarly constructed flat-conical discs 61, which are also non-rotary butv longitudinally shiftable on 65. These two pairs of discs 66 and 61 each forming a belt disk are connected by a wedge belt 68, which ts with its bevelled side faces against the oppositely disposed sides of the disks 66 and 67.

The disks 66 and 61, which are preferably made resilient towards the outside, are connected with each other at their hubs by means of pivotally connected levers 69. These levers 69 are mounted in rotatable fashion at their centres on vertical bolts 'i8 located on a support 1I secured to the frame I.

The levers 68 are extended beyond the shaft 2, and carry at their ends guide nuts 'I2 furnished with left and right hand inner threads and screwed on a spindle acting as turnbuckle 13 and also furnished in its two halves with leftV and right han-d threads. At the middle the spindle 73 possesses a worm-wheel 14 (Fig. 3) engaging with a worm 'l5 located on a vertical rod l5, which in turn possesses at its upper end ahand-wheel 11. The rod 16 is held by bushes 18, 19, which are provided in a lever mechanism 88 located on the frame I (Fig. 4).

Inorder to vary Ythe transmission ratio between the shaft 2 and the. shaft 65, it is suicient to tighten,for example, the nuts 'l2 (Fig. 3) in relation to each other through the medium of the rod i6, the worm l5, the worm-wheel 14 and the spindle 13 by rotation of the hand-wheel ll, so that the distance between the disksGB becomes smaller and the distance between the disksY l'l is increased to a similar extent. The belt 68 is` accordingly compelled to pass outwards between the disks 66, and to move inwards between the disks 61, so that in the case of the selected example the speed of the shaft 65 is increased. The preferably pyramidal frame 82 for the rotary table is mounted on a transverse frame 8l.

veral face a loop 86, in which there may be secured the end of a cable 81, which is wound about a drum in the driving aggregate and is passed over a roll at the top of the derrick,-so that with the assistance of this cable 81 the rotary table may be folded back. In this manner it is possible to keep the dimensions of a table intended for large cutting tools within small limits.

At the top of the frame 82 there is provided a vertically disposed bush 88, in which is accommodated the extended hub of a horizontally disposed worm-wheel 89. Meshing with 89 is a worm 98 seated on a shaft 9| having at its end the belt pulley 92, which is connected by the belt 64 with the belt pulley 63 situated on the driving aggregate.

'lhe screwing together or taking apart of the pipe mayv also be performed by the rotary table. If the table is required to rotate to the left the belt 64 is merely crossed. In this connection considerable assistance is offered by the regulator 66, 6l, 58, 69, since more particularly when taking apart, i. e., when the threads are tight, a lower speed and accordingly a greater power of the table may be used initially, and the work completed in a very short time after loosening the threads by using greater speeds.

To avoid long and heavy operating rods the pipe possesses at equal distances apart transverse borings 93, whereby in order to overcome the weakening of the pipe thus caused reinforcing sleeves 94 are welded on at these points. The movement of the pipe takes place merely by means of one single bolt 95 (Fig. 14), which at the same time represents a safety means. The cutting tool or dove-tail chisel may be secured to the pipe by two threaded bolts. If the tool becomes jammed owing to excessive and rapid pull, the sudden occurrence of stones or inattention on the part of the operator, merely the bolt 95 will be broken, so that all fishing operation is l done away with. The bored pipe also permits of particularly simple operation upon fitting and removal; retention may be performed in very simple fashion below the table by means of an inserted rod, as indicated in Fig. 12.

If the bore pipe, in addition to cutting tool boring, is also to be employed for rotary drilling, i. e., scavenging operations, the borings 93 will preferably be sealed by means of members 96 welded on (Fig. 13), so that the water is unable to pass out of the pipe.

The rotary table in conjunction with the speed indicator may be employed for all known rotary drilling methods, such as -cutting tool, dove-tail drill and crown drilling.

The derrick 91, which in the known fashion is composed of 4 metal tubes arranged in pyramidal form, is so constructed that the tubes or legs connected together in pairs are pivotally secured to the underside of the top 98 (Figs. 6-8). The right hand pair of tubes 97 (considered with regard to Fig. 8) are pivoted to the top of the derrick by curvedarms 99 and the joint |88, Whilst the pair of pipes 9i' on the left are connected rmly with the top 98.

CFI

derrick in rapid and reliable fashion.

At the top 98 of the derrick there is provided the guide roll IEII for the cable 30.

lIn order to facilitate the removal `of the heavy drilling tool, the lled liner or the like liftedin the well, the invention makes provision at the top of the derrick 9B for a guide roll |03 suspended in pendulating fashion by means of rods |02, the spindle thereof carrying at its ends two rolls |055.Y At approximately the level of the rolls |04 there are-secured tothe left hand tubes 91 of the derrick (considered with regard to Fig. 6) the ends of two'cables |05. These cables 'I 0,5 are conducted from their points `of attachment to the rolls |05, passed about the latter, and returned to rolls |06 provided on the same pair of tubes` 91, from where they proceed to a drum |01 in the driving aggregate. This drum |01 is freely rotatable on a shaft |03, which receives its motion by means of a sprocket wheel |09, a chain IIO and a-sprocket wheel III mounted on the main shaft 2, and may be firmly connected therewith by a clutch H2 controlled by means of a lever (not shown).

If, for example, a liner lifted from the well is to be deposited on the bottom of the derrick for emptying purposes, the same must first be removed from the pipe, which is usually situatedwell above ground. Heretofore it has been'necessary to pass a cable about the liner,-and to lift out the same with a considerable expenditure .of time and labor, and moreover to hold ythe same in the lifted position until the cable has been let out. By the provision of the guide roll |03 the removal of the tool is greatly facilitated.

Immediately the tool has been lifted to view the clutch I I2 is put in, and accordingly by means of the cable (double cable) |55 the guide roll |03 moved against the drill cable 30. The double cable then draws the roll |03 and accordingly also the cable 30 and the tool suspended thereon laterally from the range of the pipe, so that afterl disengagement of the clutch I I2 and locking of the drum |01 the cable 30 may be let out to such extent by hand with actuation of the hand wheel 52 that the tool, liner orl the like moves on to the floor I I3 of the derrick and into the box I I4 intended for the same.

Although the removing device described in the above operates with considerable advantage, it is sometimes necessary that more particularly the introduction of the tool into the pipe situated Well above ground be carefully checked. Y According to the invention, the derrick is furnished with an elevator H5, the guide lever mechanism of which consists of a few angle irons i i5. The elevator H5 possesses on its upper side a roll II1, about which there is placed a cable II8 having its end secured to the top 98 of thederrick, which cable passes over a guide roll IIS and also a second roll at the top 93 of the derrick to a drum I2I, which is mounted in thedriving aggregate on the shaft |08 and may be connected in positive fashion with this shaft by means of a clutch |22 actuated by a hand lever (not shown). The fact that the elevator |I5 may also be used for lifting and lowering the rotary pipe clamp is disclosed by Figs. G and 1. The elevator will also be found of particular advantage in the lifting and lowering of the pipe.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show the great advantage offered by the lifting device |02, |03 upon the erection of thederrick. The same serves in this case for the initial-lifting of the derrick assembled on the flat ground. I-Iitherto it has been necessary to initially lift the assembled derrick by means of a pulley or hoist secured to a specially constructed. mast.

' As shown by Fig. 9, the left hand pair of tubes 91 rigidly connected with the crown 98 are pivoted to the oor II3 at |23. Y

The derrick, assembled on the ground and having the right hand tubes swung outwards, is supported with the right hand edge of the crown or top 98 against a trestle |24. The latter possesses on the right an incline |25, and at its highest point a cable guide roll |26. The ends of the axis of the roller |03 areV connected with the double cable |05, and the cable drum |01 is linked up with the drive, so that the roller |03, following the pull of the cable |05, rolls up the incline |25 and lifts the crown 98. The cable |05 is guided in the roll |26 of the trestle |24.

If the top or crown-98 has reached the position shown in Fig. l0, the-lower end of the right hand pair of tubes'is connected with the free end of a cable |21, which is "wound about a drum |28 mounted in the -driving aggregate.- The drum |28 is mounted on a shaft |29, and may be connectedV in positive fashion with argear wheel I3| by means of a 4clutch |30l controlled by a handlever (not shown). The gear wheel l3| meshes with a pinion |32, `which is located on a shaft |33 carrying at itsend a sprocket wheelI |34, which is .connected bymeansk of a chain |35 with a sprocket Wheel 136 mounted on the main shaft 2. After the lower ends of the right hand pair of legs. have been connected with the cable |21, the

` clutch of the drum |28 is put in, rthe same then being driven by the main shaft 2. The operation'of the drum |01 for the cable |05 is intel'- rupted by disengaging the clutch H2, and as shown by Fig. 11 the further erection of the derrick is performed solely with the assistance of the cable |21.

The cable |21 may also be employed for Voperating a pulley or hoist intended for lifting the derrick and mounted on a special mast.

According to Fig. 1, the driving aggregate is furnished at the left, i. e., on the side directed away from the derrick, with a seat |31 for the operator, this seat being adjustable as regards height and spacial disposal. In this manner the operator is able to observe readily and without obstruction from his seat the progress made in the drilling operation, since all levers for the clutches are arranged in front of or near the seat and readily control the single elements of the driving aggregate.'

The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows: v

It is assumed that operations are being performed with a liner. The empty liner, situated for example in the box IILI, is firmly connected with the cable30 held laterally of the pipe by the roller |03V (Fig. 6). The cable 30, after the drum II has been firmly connected with the worinwheel I9 by means of the engaged clutch I8, is lifted to such extent by manipulation of the hand wheel 02, and accordingly of the worm 59, until the lower edge of the liner is situated to a suflicient extent-above the pipe. The double cable |05 is now let out by releasing the clutch II2, so that the roller |04 swings back under the weight of the liner over the mouth of the pipe. In order to prevent damageto the mouth of the pipe by any swinging action on the part of the liner when the same is letl into the pipe, a Workman is lifted by the elevator' I I5 up to the level of the mouth 75? ioV col

. the desired fashion.

of' the pipe to controlthe introduction of the liner into the mouth by hand, whilst the cable'll is let out gradually by the operator by means Yof the worm gear 59, I9. Y Y

The lever I6 is now moved into the middle position, and the cable runs out freely under the weight of the tool. When the length of cable run oi from the drum approximately corresponds with the depth of thewell, the drum II Will be braked, and the cable 30 let out by hand by means of the hand-wheel 62 V'and Athe worm gear 59, I9 until the tool is situated merely a slight distance above the bottom of the well. By engagement of the clutch 51 the operating member 56 is now actuated in the'manner already described through the medium of the chains 42, and operation thus initiated on the bottom of the well by the tool meeting against the same intermittently under the action of gravity.

In order to lift the lled liner from the well for emptying purposes, it is merely'necessary to move over the lever` I6 in such'fashion that the drum II is coupled with the gear wheel I2. Immediately the tool appears above ground, the drum II is again coupled with the worm-wheel I9. cabler30 by engagement of the clutch -IIZ and operation of the drum I 01 by means of thedouble cable IBS, and the roller ID3 passed together with the cable and the liner laterally away `from the pipe, in accordance with Fig. 6, and held in this position. The liner is then deposited in the manner'already described on the bottom of the'derrick in the box I I4 and emptied.

If at the commencement drilling is performed with cutting tools, there is employed the rotary table according to Fig. 12 with the speed regulator according to Figs. 3 and 4. For-the size of cutting tool at first used'the rotary table should perform only very few revolutions per minute, and the rregulator' is accordingly provided with the adjustment of thefdisks 66,161- shown 'in Fig. 4. As the drilling operation proceeds cuttingtools of smaller diameter .are employed, which may *.alsobe operated at a higher speed.- v

. For the purpose of exchanging thecutting tool the rotarytable requires to `be folded back `(Fig. 12). To do this the cable 8l vis connected with the eye 86 of the -rotary table frame 82,andthef bolt 85 withdrawn from the eyes 83. The cable is Vthen lifted by the drum intended for the withdrawal device, and the rotary table togetherwith Vthe frame thus swung back about thesbolt 84,

so that the cutting tool previously Vin use is eX- .posed, and may be vlifted outof the well, for .ex-

lample by means of the cable 30, whereupon the next cutting tool of smaller diameter is introduced into the well kand the rotary table moved back and connected with the same.

In order now to .obtain agreater speed "in re-I spectof the new wimble tted, kthehand wheel 'I'I is yrotated towards the 1leftso that" the ends of the lever 69 carrying the guide -nuts I2 '(Fig. 3) of the spindle 'I3 are approached towards each other. The eiective diameter of the disk 66 is ac-V cordingly larger, and the diameter ofthe disk 61 simultaneously reduced tothe same extent, so that the transmission ratio has been varied in If it is desired to perform drilling beyond a certain depth (approximately 150 feet) opera- Ations are continued either with 'chisels acting under gravity or rotary drills. f y f 1 .Inthe former r'caseithere'is employed the op 'Ihe roller M13 is then moved against they V68 will thenpreferably be so adjusted that the f5 disk 66 is furnished with its greatest diameter,

Aand the disk 67 with its smallest effectivey diameter.

In rotary drilling operations there is employed the pipe shown in Fig. 13 having sealed transverse borings.

The device according 'to the invention repre.- sents an extremely simple machine for the operation of the tools in the production of deep wells (water wells, oil wells, etc.), and the manufacturing and running costsof the same may be kept Vat a relatively low gure. v

There is also provided the possibility of uniting the drive both for the mechanical gravity operation according to the invention as well as for rotary drilling operations and finally for all auxiliary machines in the production of wells in a small machine unit.

What I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y l

1. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with Y the said drum, guide rolls for guiding thesaid 30 Ccable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operatingmember acting vertically on the said cable at a point betweenithe said two guide rolls, and sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable 35 for supporting the said operating member.

2. Ina deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick fo-r guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool withthe said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, a worm wheel driven by the main15 shaft of the driving aggregate, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable for supporting the said operating member, and a `disengageable clutch connecting one of the said sprocketwheeis with `the shaft of the said worm wheel. -Y

3. In a deepwell drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, aY driving agg-regate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting `the said tool with the said drum,'guide rolls for guiding the 'saidcable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically onthe said cable -at a point between Ythe said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and .'60

vendless chains disposed transversely to the said loable, and a plate carried by oppositely disposed Yguide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, bolts connectingf oppositely disposed-joints of the `said 75 chains, and a plate supporting the said operating member mounted to be oscillatory on the said bolts.

5.` In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, bolts connecting oppositely disposed joints of the said chains,l a plate supporting the said operating ,memben and bearing eyes on the said plate mounted in resilient fashion on the said bolts.

6. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting verticallyY on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, bolts connecting oppositely disposed joints of the said chains, and a plate supporting the said operating member having circular bores and one pair of longitudinal bores in which the said bolts are capable of transverse displacement.

'7. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on thesaid cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, a plate carried by the said chains supporting the said operating member, the said operating member engaging the said cable to move it over a predetermined distance and then release lit automatically to allowthe said tool to act in free fall against the bottom of the well.

8. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a ldriving aggregate in association therewith, va drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member comprising a roll and acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, a plate carried by the said chains, and a bolt on the said plate carrying the said operating member.

, 9. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member comprising a roll having a slightly conical jacket and acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, and a plate carried bythe said chains supporting the said operating member.

10. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket Wheels and endless chains dispose-d transversely to the said cable, and a slot guide for the said cable opposite the one Alength of the said chains.

11. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, and opposite the one length of the said chains a slot guide for the said cable having a slight curvature conducting the cable away from the said operating member.

12. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, sprocket wheels and endless chains disposed transversely to the said cable, and a slot guide for the said cable opposite the one length of the said chains, the oppositely disposed parts of the said chain length and the said guide being arranged slightly to diverge.

13. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, and a separately mounted roller for the cable situated between the said drum and the one of the said two guide rolls situated next to the said operating member, the said operating member engaging the said cable to move it over a predetermined distance and then release it automatically to allow the said tool to act in free fall against the bottom of the well. Y

14; In a deepwell drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide'rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, a xed shaft, and a freely said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, a worm wheel mounted on the shaft of the said drum, a releasable clutch connecting the said drum and the said worm wheel, and a manually operable worm of small diameter meshing with the said worm wheel.

l16. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, a worm gear of large transmission ratio for letting out the cable mounted on the shaft o f the said drum, and a releasable clutch connecting the said drum and the said worm gear.

17. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cutting tool, a driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said driving aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with thersaid drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting vertically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls, rods situated at the crown of the derrick and a pendulating guide roller mounted on the said rods for lifting the tool from the well.

18. In a deep well drilling apparatus, a derrick for guiding the cuttingv tool, aV driving aggregate in association therewith, a drum to the said drivy ing aggregate, a cable connecting the said tool with the said drum, guide rolls for guiding the said cable including two 4guide rolls situated at the same level, an operating member acting ver-4 tically on the said cable at a point between the said two guide rolls to move the said cable a predetermined distance and then release it auto-V matically to allow the said tool to act in free fall against the bottom of the well, and a rotary table to permit of rotary drilling operations after a certain depth of the well has been reached.

HANS MUEGGE. 

